Underwater breathing apparatus



Dec. 21, 1965 R. J. DEMPSTER 3,224,444

UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.-

ROBERT J. DEMPSTER ATTORNEYS Dec. 21, 1965 R. J. DEMPSTER 3,224,444

UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5 5' 52 49 @HIIHIINX lll gllnum INV EN TORI-- ROBERT J. DEMPSTER W, @0010 vi )gof' ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,224,444 UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Robert J. Dempster, 9232 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed Feb. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 171,415 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-142) The present invention relates in general to underwater breathing apparatus, and has more particular reference to improved valve means for controlling the delivery of compressed air from a storage tank to a breathing mouthpiece whenever the user of the apparatus seeks to draw a breath of air through the mouthpiece.

The invention relates more specifically to portable apparatus of the sort adapted to be worn by underwater swimmers, the same comprising a tank or tanks of compressed air, a mouthpiece component through which the swimmer may inhale and exhale, a usually flexible air supply pipe or pipes connecting the compressed air tank or tanks with the mouthpiece and an air supply shut off valve disposed in the mouthpiece component and operable in response to pressure drop in the component when the wearer inhales, to open the valve for the delivery of air to the mouthpiece component.

An important object of this invention is to provide for effectively exhausting the exhalations of the wearer of the apparatus, as well as excess unbreathed air, at a discharge station or location remote from the face of the wearer of the apparatus to thereby avoid impairing the release of view obstructing air bubbles within the wearers field of vision.

Another important object is to provide one or more preferably flexible air exhaust conduits connected to the mouthpiece and extending thence to a remote discharge Zone, as behind the head of the wearer of the apparatus; a further object being to dispose the exhaust conduits concentrically about the air supply pipe or hose to thereby support the conduits in desired position to exhaust air at a distance from the face of the wearer of the apparatus.

Such an air exhaust conduit, when extending in a direction upwardly of the wearer of the apparatus may function in the manner of a siphon to produce a continuing reduction of pressure at the mouthpiece, simulating the suction exerted in the mouthpiece by the wearer of the apparatus when inhaling, thereby holding open the air supply shut off valve and thus draining air from the supply tank. It is, therefore, a further important object of the present invention to provide the exhaust conduit, preferably at or adjacent its junction with the mouthpiece component with one or more by-pass valves of exceedingly simple inexpensive character and operable to break any air siphoning condition that may be established when air is delivered through the exhaust conduit when in position extending in surrounding water vertically upwardly of the mouthpiece component of the apparatus.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

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FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 66 in FIG. 2.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show underwater breathing apparatus 11 comprising a valved breathing mouthpiece component 12, a conventional attachment fitting 13 adapted for detachable connection with a compressed air supply tank, a flexible air supply hose 14 interconnecting the valved mouthpiece component 12 with the attachment fitting 13, and a flexible air exhaust conduit 50 which preferably concentrically surrounds the supply hose 14, said conduit being connected at one end with the mouthpiece component 12 and having a remote end extending at an air exhaust location or station remote from the mouthpiece.

As shown, the mouthpiece component 12 may comprise a hollow, preferably cylindrical shell 16 providing a housing forming a breathing chamber 17, the shell 16 on one side having a laterally opening mounting sleeve 18 shaped for connection with a conventional mouthpiece 19 of resilient rubber-like material having a sleeve-like mounting portion 20 formed to snugly and press-fittingly encircle the mounting sleeve 18. The mouthpiece may also comprise a portion 21 adapted to be received in the mouth of the wearer to permit mouth breathing into and out of the chamber 17 through the sleeve 18, a clamping band 22 being preferably applied around the mounting portion 20 of the mouthpiece in order to secure it tightly upon the mounting sleeve 18. The sleeve 18 and the mounting portion 20 are also preferably formed respectively with a projecting peripheral rib 23 on the sleeve 18 and a peripheral inwardly opening groove 24 in the portion 20 of the mouthpiece, to interfittingly receive the rib 23 in the groove 24 and thereby latch the mouthpiece in mounted position on the sleeve 18.

The shell or housing 16 may also be formed with an opening therein preferably in position diametrically opposite the mouthpiece mounting sleeve 18, said opening being defined by a diaphragm mounting 25 which may conveniently comprise a stub sleeve 26 formed on the shell 16 in position opening laterally thereof, the outer end of the sleeve being formed to provide a preferably circular diaphragm seat 27 upon which the peripheral edges of a preferably circular diaphragm 28 of rubberlike elastic material may be sealingly secured in any suitable or preferred manner as by means of a clamping member 29.

One end of the sleeve 16 may be permanently closed, as shown at 30, the opposite end being formed with an opening defining a preferably circular seat 31 for receiving the peripheral edge of a valve mounting member or disc 32, in preferably detachable fashion, suitable clamping means being provided for securing the peripheral edges of the disc 32 in the seat 31. The disc 32 may be for-med with a central valve mounting sleeve 33 disposed in coaxial alignment with the central axis of the shell 16. Outwardly of the sleeve 33, the member 32 may be formed with a series of circularly spaced apart valve openings or ports 34 communicating with the chamber 17 and normally closed by one-way flow contr-ol flap valves 35 preferably formed of resilient rubberlike material, said flap valves being secured to the member 32, as along the sides of the flap valves which extend adjacent the sleeve 33, in position normally overlying and closing the openings 34. The flap valves 35 serve to permit air to flow freely therethrough out of the chamber 17 while preventing the entry of air or water into the chamber 17 through the openings 34.

The sleeve 33 serves as a mounting for a normally closed air inlet shut off valve 36 which may conveniently comprise a sleeve 37 formed with an outwardly extending flange 38, at one end, and sized for snug interfitment in the sleeve 33, in position with the flange 38 sealingly engaged with the inner or chamber facing side of the I member 32, around the opening defined by the sleeve portion 33 of said member. A resilient sealing gasket 39 is preferably interposed between the flange 38 and the inner side of the member 32 at the inner end of the sleeve 33. -The sleeve 37 projects outwardly of the outer end of the sleeve 33 and may be secured in mounted position therein by means of a clamping Washer 40 demountably secured in a peripheral groove in the sleeve 37 in position to engage the outer end of the sleeve 33.

The inner end of the sleeve 37 may be formed with an axial pocket 41 opening into the chamber 17. At its opposite or outer end, the sleeve 37 may be formed with a preferably coaxial outwardly opening valve chamber 42 which may be provided with internal screw threads, at its open end, for the attachment of a correspondingly threaded air inlet nipple 43, to the outer end of which the air supply hose 14 may be clampingly secured in any conventional or preferred fashion. A coaxial channel 44 in the sleeve interconnects the bottoms of the pocket 41 and the valve chamber 42, which contains a valve member 45. The valve member is normally urged to seat upon the bottom of the chamber 42 and thereby close the channel 44 against the delivery of air from the supply hose 14 through the valve chamber past the valve 45 and thence through the conduit 44 and the pocket 41 into the chamber 17. The valve member 45 is normally held in closed position as by means of a helical spring 46 hearing at its opposite ends upon the valve member 45 and the inner end of the air hose connection nipple 43. Secured centrally on the valve member 45 and extending thence through the conduit 44 and the pocket 41 into the chamber 17 is a valve actuating stem 47 having a valve remote end disposed between the mouthpiece carrying sleeve 18 and the diaphragm mounting 25.

As soon as and whenever the wearer of the device inhales air from the chamber 17, through the mouthpiece, the resultant reduction in pressure upon the inner side of the diaphragm 28 will permit the surrounding water to bulge the diaphragm 28 inwardly of the chamber 17 and into valve-actuating contact with the stem 47, which consequently may be shifted to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6, thereby lifting the valve member 45 from engagement with its seat upon the bottom of the chamber 42, against the influence of the spring 46, thus permitting air to flow through the supply hose 14, past the valve 45 and into the chamber 17, in order to replenish the air drawn from the chamber by the breathing of the wearer of the device. As soon as the air supply in the chamber has thus been replenished, the diaphragm 28 will regain its normal position released from the stem 47 and the valve 45, consequently, will reassume its closed position, thereby preventing the delivery of air under pressure from the supply tank with which the hose 14 is connected, until the valve is again opened as the result of succeeding inhalations of the wearer.

The wearer of the device may also exhale through the mouthpiece 19 into the chamber 17, in which case the valves 35 will open and permit excess air to escape through the openings 34.

It will, of course, be understood that both of the opposite ends of the shell 16 may be formed as open ends defining seats like the seat 31, and that the above described valve mechanism and an associated supply hose 14 may be provided at each of the opposite ends of the member 16, so that the chamber 17 may be supplied with air under pressure from either or both of a pair of supply tanks carried by the user of the apparatus.

It has heretofore been customary to liberate exhaust air through the openings 34 directly into the surrounding water in which the wearer of the apparatus is using the same. Such liberated air forms a more or less dense cloud of air bubbles which percolate upwardly within and across the field of vision of the wearer of the apparatus, thereby producing substantial and highly undesirable obstruction of vision. In the past, efforts have been made to conduct liberated air away from the face of the wearer of the apparatus in order to eliminate the vision obstructing effect of air bubbles liberated directly into the water directly from the mouthpiece component. Such efforts, however, have been unsatisfactory for the reason that any air conduit connected to receive exhaust air at the mouthpiece component will establish an air siphon whenever such conduit becomes disposed in position extending in surrounding water upwardly of the mouthpiece component. Such air siphon, when established, will continuously drain air from the chamber 17 through exhaust valves of the sort shown at 35 in FIG. 6, thereby continuously producing the same sort of reduced pressure conditions in the chamber 17 as are caused by the inhalations of a wearer of the apparatus through the mouthpiece 19. Such continuous siphon induced reduction in air pressure in the chamber 17 will cause the diaphragm 28 to remain in inwardly bowed condition holding the valve member 45 open and thereby causing air under pressure to be continuously delivered, from the connected supply tank, into the chamber 17 and thence out through the valves 35 for the maintenance of such air draining siphon condition.

The present invention contemplates an arrangement which will exhaust exhaled or excess air from the chamber 17 at an air discharge location or station substantially remote from the face of the wearer of the apparatus through specially designed exhaust conduit means 48 for delivering exhaust air from one or both ends of the chamber forming shell 16 and discharging the same substantially behind the head of the wearer of the apparatus, said conduit means being formed to prevent the establishment of siphon-like free flow of high-pressure air therethrough. To these ends, the exhaust conduit means 48 may be provided for receiving air exhausted from the chamber 17 through the valves 35, said conduit means extending thence away from the face of the wearer and terminating preferably at an air discharging station or location behind the head of the wearer of the apparatus. Where air sup: ply and exhaust valves are provided at each of the opposite ends of the chamber forming member 16, air conduit means 48 may likewise be connected at each of the opposite ends of said member 16.

The conduit means 48 may conveniently comprise a valve carrying junction or mounting sleeve 49 and a flexible air discharge hose 50. The junction sleeve 49 preferably comprises a short length of fabric-reinforced tubing of rubber-like material adapted to snugly encircle the valve-carrying end of the member 16, suitable clamp means being employed, if desired, to secured the end of the sleeve 49 tightly upon the member 16. The air discharge hose 50 may be sealingly secured as by means of suitable cement to the end of the sleeve 49 remote from the member 16. The hose 50 may extend from the sleeve 49 to a remote air discharging position or station preferably located behind the head of the wearer of the appa-, ratus. The hose 50 may comprise a suitable length of axially freely extensible, longitudinally corrugated or accordian-pleated hose of rubber-like material, preferably assembled in position concentrically encircling the air sup-. ply hose 14 and hence loosely supported thereby in position extending between the sleeve 49 and the desired air discharging position behind the head of the wearer of the apparatus, in the general vicinity of the air supply tank connected end of theair supply hose 14. The axially corrugated hose 50 preferably has a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the air supply hose 14, whereby air exhausted through the hose 50 may pass therethrough freely around the supply hose 14.

In order to prevent the establishment of air siphon conditions in the conduit means 48, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 51, of preferably axially elongated configuration, may be formed through the sleeve 49, between the opposite ends thereof, said openings being normally closed by flap valves 52 forming one-way check valves comprising flexible plates of rubber-like material vulcanized, cemented, or otherwise attached each at one end thereof to the inner surface of the sleeve 49 in position to overlie a corresponding opening 51. As a consequence, the check valves 52 will normally seal the openings 51 against the escape of exhaust air therethrough and into the surrounding water, but will permit surrounding water to enter through the openings 51 and into the sleeve 49 thereby preventing the establishment of reduced pressure suction or siphon conditions within the sleeve. As a consequence, in the event of the establishment of an air siphon within the discharge conduit means 48, the corresponding pressure reduction within the sleeve will cause the valves 52 to open as the result of the pressure existing in the surrounding water. As a consequence, water may enter through the openings 51 and break the siphon conditions.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housing forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, a normally closed shut off valve connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve permitting air to flow out of said chamber while excluding fluid flow into the chamber, and means operable to open the shut off valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, the combination, with said housing, of conduit means concentrically encircling and supported by said air supply hose and connected with said housing, said conduit means extending in position to receive air delivered from the breathing chamber through said oneway flow control valve and to deliver the air thence along and outwardly of the supply hose, whereby to discharge such air remote from the housing, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer, said conduit means having a one-way check valve in the lateral walls thereof in communication with circumambient fluid, thereby permitting the flow of water therethrough into said conduit means, while preventing outward flow of air through said check valve, during underwater use.

2. In underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housing forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, a normally closed shut ofif valve connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve permitting air to flow out of said chamber while excluding fluid flow into the chamber, and means operable to open the shut ofi valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, the combination, with said housing, of conduit means concentrically encircling and supported by said air supply hose and connected with said housing, said conduit means extending in position to receive air delivered from the breathing chamber through said one-way flow control valve and to deliver the air thence along and outwardly of the supply hose, whereby to discharge such air remote from the housing, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer, said conduit means having a sleeve portion connected at one end with the housing in position to receive air delivered from the one-way flow control valve, an extension forming a hose having an air receiving end connected with the housing remote end of the sleeve portion, said hose having an air delivery end remote from said sleeve portion and a one-way check valve mounted on said sleeve portion, in communication with circumambient fluid, thereby permitting water to flow into the sleeve por tion from outwardly thereof, while preventing outward flow of air through the check valve, during underwater use.

3. In underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housing forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, a normally closed shut off valve connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve permitting air to flow out of said chamber while excluding fluid flow into the chamber, and means operable to open the shut off valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, the combination, with said housing, of conduit means concentrically encircling and supported by said air supply hose and connected with said housing, said conduit means extending in position to receive air delivered from the breathing chamber through said one-way flow control valve and to deliver the air thence along and outwardly of the supply hose, whereby to discharge such air remote from the housing, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer, said conduit means having a flexible, longitudinally freely extensible circumferentially corrugated hose portion of elastic material and a one-way check valve at the housing connected end of said conduit means, in communication with circumambient fluid, thereby permitting water to flow into the conduit means while preventing outward flow of air through the check valve, during underwater use.

4. In underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housing forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, a normally closed shut off valve connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve permitting air to flow out of said chamber while excluding fluid flow into the chamber, and means operable to open the shut off valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, the combination, with said housing, of conduit means connected therewith and extending in position to receive air delivered from the breathing chamber through said one-way valve and to discharge such air at a station remote from the housing, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer, said conduit means comprising a sleeve structure connected at one end of the housing at said one-way flow control valve, said sleeve structure, adjacent its housing connected end, having an opening therethrough and a plate of flexible material secured at one end on said sleeve structure in position overlying the said opening on the inner side of said sleeve structure, whereby to form a one-way check valve, in communication with circumambient fluid, thereby permitting flow of water therethrough into said sleeve structure, while preventing outward flow of air through said check valve, during underwater use.

5. Underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housing forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, said housing having an opening, a valve disc secured in said opening, said disc having a central sleeve forming a channel therethrough and a valve port formed through the disc outwardly of said sleeve, a normally closed shut off valve secured in said sleeve and connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve outwardly of the sleeve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve member overlying said port in position permitting air to flow out of said chamber through said port while excluding fluid flow therethrough into the chamber, means operable to open the shut 01f valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, and conduit means connected with said housing, around said opening, and extending thence in position to receive air delivered from the breathing chamber past said one-way flow control valve member and to discharge such air at a station remote from the member, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer.

6. Underwater breathing apparatus comprising a housin-g forming a breathing chamber from and into which a wearer of the apparatus may inhale and exhale air, a normally closed shut off valve connected with said chamber, an air supply hose connected with said valve and adapted for connection with a remote supply of air under pressure, a one-way flow control valve connected to the housing to permit air to flow out of said chamber while excluding fluid flow into the chamber, means operable to open the shut ofl valve in response to air inhalation from the chamber by the wearer, conduit means connected with the housing and extending in position to receive air delivered from the'breathing chamber through said oneway valve and to discharge such air at a station remote from the housing, to thereby obviate the production of vision obstructing exhaust air bubbles within the field of vision of the wearer, and a one-way check valve in said conduit means, in communication with circumambient fluid, thereby permitting surrounding water to enter the same in order to prevent the establishment of air siphon conditions in the conduit means, during underwater use.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,588,516 3/1952 Glidden 128l4l 2,747,572 5/1956 Gagnan 128142 2,814,290 11/1957 Holmes 128144 2,894,506 7/1959 Rose 128142 FOREIGN PATENTS 828,226 2/1960 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

6. UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOUSING FORMING A BREATHING CHAMBER FROM AND UNTO WHICH A WEARER OF THE APPARATUS MAY INHALE AND EXHALE AIR, A NORMALLY CLOSED SHUT OFF VALVE CONNECTED WITH SAID CHAMBER, AN AIR SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTED WITH SAID VALVE AND ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH A REMOTE SUPPLY OF AIR UNDER PRESSURE, A ONE-WAY FLOW CONTROL VALVE CONNECTED TO THE HOUSING TO PERMIT AIR TO FLOW OUT OF SAID CHAMBER WHILE EXCLUDING FLUID FLOW INTO THE CHAMBER, MEANS OPERABLE TO OPEN THE SHUT OFF VALVE IN RESPONSE TO AIR INHALATION FROM THE CHAMBER BY THE WEARER, CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE HOUSING AND EXTENDING IN POSITION TO RECEIVE AIR DELIVERED FROM THE BREATHING CHAMBER THROUGH SAID ONEWAY VALVE AND TO DISCHARGE SUCH AIR AT A STATION REMOTE FROM THE HOUSING, TO THEREBY OBVIATE THE PRODUCTION OF VISION OBSTRUCTING EXHAUST AIR BUBBLES WITHIN THE FIELD OF VISION OF THE WEARER, AND A ONE-WAY CHECK VALVE IN SAID CONDUIT MEANS, IN COMMUNICATION WITH CIRCUMAMBIENT FLUID, THEREBY PERMITTING SURROUNDING WATER TO ENTER THE SAME IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AIR SIPHON CONDITIONS IN THE CONDUIT MEANS, DURING UNDERWATER USE. 